Print
Share page with AddThis

TOTAL BAN ON ALL NONESSENTIAL OUTDOOR WATER USE

Posted on: June 29, 2022 - 11:36am

Dear Residents,

The Scituate Water Division is implementing a Total Ban on all nonessential outdoor water use. This action is in response to a failure at our Surface Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and high seasonal demand. The sludge collection system in one of our two Sedimentation Basins has failed. Repairs are likely to take weeks and maybe even months to complete. These restrictions will be revisited if conditions change. Watering of flowers, gardens, plants, and lawns may be done by hand-held hose only before 9am and after 5 pm. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Restricted Nonessential Outdoor Water Uses

Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:

  • irrigation of lawns;
  • filling swimming pools;
  • washing vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; and
  • washing exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.

The following uses may be allowed when mandatory restrictions are in place:

  • irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September;
  • irrigation of public parks and recreational fields before 9 am and after 5 pm;
  • irrigation of gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose or drip irrigation system; and irrigation of lawns by means of a hand-held hose before 9 am and after 5 pm.

Water uses NOT subject to mandatory restrictions are those required:

  • for health or safety reasons;
  • by regulation;
  • for the production of food and fiber;
  • for the maintenance of livestock; or
  • to meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by golf courses as necessary to maintain tees, greens, and minimal fairway watering, or irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).